Denver guitarist D. West has put together an album that deserves your full attention. Released in November 2025 on Hollow Gesture Records, this record takes his American Primitive style and stretches it into darker, more experimental directions with 12-string guitar and ambient textures layered in.
His fingerpicking is detailed but never overthought, and you can hear the rawness in it. “Dance of the Cathedral Flames” opens things up by bouncing between soft moments and harsher ones, while “Cult of the Celestial” takes gospel phrasing and flips it into minor key territory that sounds genuinely unsettling. The title track anchors everything emotionally, starting from one stubborn riff and working its way toward resolution. “The Path to the Black Lodge” tips its hat to Twin Peaks with circular picking patterns that suddenly break into loud, chaotic bursts reminiscent of Sonic Youth.
West cares more about capturing feeling than nailing perfect technique, and you can tell. This album rewards close listening. Put on headphones and let the details come to you. If you want to stay updated on D. West’s future releases and see behind-the-scenes glimpses of his creative process, make sure to follow him on Instagram.
